Okay, enough with the OBAMA '08 stuff!

[liberalpragmatist]

Look guys, the guy's young and has got a bright future, but let him have some seasoning! By 2008 he'll have had all of 4 years in the national spotlight. And as a Senator, it'll take longer than that to build up a strong record. By 2012 or 2016 he'll be in good shape, and he's young enough that a run as late as 2020 or 2024 wouldn't be difficult at all (of course, I realize people don't want to wait that long).

He's WAY too young and inexperienced for an '08 run either as President or VP. And look, I think the guy's great, he's got an incredible future, I honestly think he'll be president and a damn good one at that. But give him some time!

[tritsofme]

1. I almost feel like we need a daily thread on this

Obama is part of the future of our party, he can't start running for President in the 2nd year of his first Senate term.

[CMO]

2. He's 41

so he could run in 2024 but after that he may be too old. He has plenty of time to do his thing. I think he will be a fabulous prez.

[alcuno]

3. Besides, I want him to be MY senator for a while.

People need to get their own Obama in their own states.

[Krupskaya]

4. If we can't get a gun-totin' Vietnam Vet elected...

we sure as hell can't get a young black man from Chicago elected.

[Lone Pawn]

6. The way McAuliffe and Cahill ran this thing...

We couldn't get Jesus Christ elected. If we shake things up and start setting the terms of debate like they do...

Look, they got Drunken Moronic Frat Boy elected. Twice. Okay, so, not fairly, but they still got many people to vote for him. I'm pretty sure if we use similar ideas, we could get a symbol of national hope elected in a few years. Maybe a 2012 VP run.

[Mr_Spock]

5. Oh man!! Great idea - let's run OBAMA in '08!!!

No record, young, handsome, black, midwestern, religious - the perfect candidate.

[JVS]

7. No Senators as nominees until we have a large enough majority in...

the senate to be able to lose the Senator if we win

[Winamericaback]

8. Exactly right

The man needs some time to serve this country before he can even consider running. Its going to be hard enough to get the neofascists to vote for a black candidate much less one with almost no experience.

Wonder what all the Racist repugs (not saying they all are, I'm talking about the small minority) would do if Powell ran in 08'?
Vote for the dem because gays are better than black people?

Obama is a bright light in an otherwise ring of darkness but he needs time to let his light shine brighter..

[briankup]

9. How many years did JFK serve in the Senate before being elected?

And how old was he? I think Obama is by far the best we have (and the best out there for that matter). He should run before he stinks of too much time in the senate like all the others that have come from there and lost since JFK, who I believe didn't serve there very long at all...

[Winamericaback]

10. 8 years

Kennedy was Senator for 8 years before he ran for the Presidency and it was at that time the closest race ever.

[liberalpragmatist]

11. 6 years House, 8 years Senate

still a good deal longer than 4 years. 4 is considered REALLY young. Generally, you need at least 6 years experience to be considered ready. 8 is a more accepted number, and as you can see, JFK had some time before then in the House.

[Julien Sorel]

12. Obama 12!

[Winamericaback]

14. How about 16?

12 is supposing that we loose in 08 and I am REALLY hoping that doesn't happen ;)

[looking glass]

13. No second senate term

One senate term, then the governorship.

THEN he's lethal.

[Winamericaback]

15. Good Point BUT

What senator is going to go from the Senate and then be governor?

Has that happened ever?

[liberalpragmatist]

16. It happens, but it's not as common

Fmr. Gov Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) was a senator for 10 years or so. He ran for governor in 1990 and won, narrowly beating Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein then ran for his vacant Senate seat.

Also, Idaho's current governor, Dirk Kempthorne is a former Senator (also a Repub) and Alaska's current governor Frank Murkowski.

On our side, there's fmr. Senator Lawton Chiles of Florida, who later served as florida governor before Jeb.

And currently, a number of northeastern Dem senators are considering governors races b/c partly b/c they're sick of being in the minority. Chuck Schumer wants to run for governor of NY, Jon Corzine's probably gonna run for governor of NJ next year, and Chris Dodd is looking at running for CT gov.

But you're right - it's not as common.

Still, I think Obama would do well to stay in the senate a couple terms - he's needed there and he could really establish a good record. Maybe he could run for governor in 2014 or so if there's Dem president at the time, which could set up him up for a presidential run in 2020.